Additional information on Wendell’s development process and development plan requirements can be found in Chapters 15 and 16 of the Town’s Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). The section below is intended to provide a more concise overview to prospective developers.

Floodplain Development Permitting Process

A Floodplain Development Permit with an accompanying Elevation Certificate shall be submitted for any proposed development within 100 feet of a flood protection zone. Floodplain Development Permits shall be approved by the Administrator.

A link to the Floodplain Development Permitting process can be found here.

Water Allocation Policy

At the time of any development projects, water allocation must be requested by the applicant before a project can be approved.

A link to the Water Allocation Policy that was adopted on April 25, 2016 can be found here and the application can be here.

Minor Site Plan Application Process

Minor Site Plans are defined by the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) as duplexes, multi-family residential structures with four or fewer units and non-residential structures totaling less than 10,000 square feet.

Exception Plat Subdivision Application Process

Exception Plat subdivision requirements shall apply in the following situations:

The combination or recombination of portions of previously subdivided and recorded lots where the total number of lots is not increased and the resultant lots are equal to, or exceed, the standards of the town as required by this ordinance

The division of land into greater than 10 acres where no street right-of-way dedication is involved;

The public acquisition by purchase of strips of land for the widening or opening of streets or for public transportation system corridors; or

The division of a tract in single ownership whose entire area is no greater than 2 acres into not more than three lots, where no street right-of-way dedication is involved and where the resultant lots are equal to, or exceed, the standards of the Town as required by this ordinance.

A link to the Exception Plat Subdivision Application Process can be found here.

Major Subdivision Application Process

A Major Subdivision is a subdivision of land that exceeds the minimum thresholds for Exception Plats and Minor Subdivisions.

A link to the Major Subdivision Application Process can be found here.

Text Amendment Process

At times, a prospective developer may find it desirable to attempt to change one or more of the town’s zoning regulations in order to better accommodate his or her project.

An amendment to the text of the town’s Unified Development Ordinance may be initiated by the Board of Commissioners, the Planning Board, the Administrator, or any private citizen by filing an application with the Administrator. Text amendments alter the regulations which apply to the town’s entire zoning jurisdiction and are not site-specific.

All petitions to amend the Wendell Unified Development Ordinance shall be directed to the Administrator, who shall transmit them to the Town Planning Board for review and recommendation.

Map Amendment Process (Rezoning) Process

Development of a new site, or redevelopment of an existing parcel, may require a map amendment in order for the new use to comply with the town’s zoning regulations. Each zoning district permits specific uses of land and includes minimum dimensional requirements for those uses.

An amendment to the Zoning Map may be initiated by the Board of Commissioners, the Planning Board, the Administrator, or any private citizen by filing an application with the Administrator.

In order for a developer to propose a new set of zoning regulations specific to his or her proposed development area, a conditional district rezoning request must be submitted. This type of development (also known as a Planned Unit Development or “PUD”) is further described in the following section.

Conditional District Rezoning Process

The purpose of the Conditional Districts is to provide an alternative means of land development and an alternative zoning procedure that may be used to establish residential, commercial, and industrial Conditional Districts at appropriate locations and in accordance with the planning and development objectives of the Town.

A link to the Conditional District Rezoning Process can be found here.

Special Use Permitting Process

Within the town’s zoning code, all allowed uses are listed as ‘Permitted (P)’, ‘Permitted with Additional Standards (PS)’ or are listed as requiring a ‘Special Use Permit’ (SUP). Special Use Permits are reviewed and approved by the Wendell Board of Commissioners at a public hearing.

Special uses are land uses that are generally compatible with the land uses permitted by right in a zoning district, but which require individual review of their location, design, and configuration so as to evaluate the potential for adverse impacts on adjacent property and uses. Special uses ensure the appropriateness of the use at a particular location within a given zoning district.

Wendell’s Special Use Application Packet includes the town’s application, submittal and review schedule, as well as sections of the UDO detailing requirements, procedures for approval, and the appeal process.